I Like Wood

Image by: Radek Grzybowski @rgrzybowski

I like wood, all different kinds. Hardwood, softwood, dark wood, light wood, I don’t discriminate. However, I have a favorite. I am obsessed with barn wood. I am talking about old-ass, beat-the-fuck-up, if-the-walls-could-talk, knobby, knotted, weathered barn wood.  I don’t know when or where exactly this small, okay, large obsession took hold–perhaps it was the fairly recent demand for barn wood that occurred when some smarties saw an opportunity to make money dismantling dilapidated barns and reselling the wood to nut bags like me. Since I am a real sucker for reclamation and have always been more of a natural girl and perpetually fantasize about having a little farm of my own one day, barn wood just speaks to me.

This barn will do.

This stuff inspires me and every time I add a little bit to my home, I feel like I contributed to preserving a small piece of our country’s history as well as turn the cozy factor up a notch. Being surrounded by these old pieces makes me feel at home.

In my own little Dutch Colonial, which if I close my eyes hard enough looks a little like a barn, you will definitely find some old-ass wood. Whether it is a little piece of art I nabbed at the Kane County fair, my homemade mantle or the beams in my kitchen, there is proof that my love for wood is real. Do you want to know what else is real? The fact that this old house is a never-ending project. The good news is this means there is certainly more space for some more weathered barn wood. I know my love for wood is true because three years after my kitchen renovation, I still walk into that space and am smitten by those beautiful beams. Just look at them!

I came across my wood after a google search and a site visit to Chicago Fabrication which, at the time, was a young company owned by a couple of brothers from Michigan. I don’t know if they were farm boys but the story is sexier if I say they were so let’s just pretend. When I first met them, they were just starting out, selling reclaimed barn wood and fabricating small pieces of furniture. Since then, these guys have blown up! They are in a much larger space. Their online presence is impressive and now they aren’t just wood-reclaimers and furniture-makers, these fine Michigan boys are making their mark on actual spaces in people’s homes and businesses all over town. I am looking forward to them making their mark in my home once again as I am excited to finally get that barn door I have always wanted, which also happens to be the inspiration for today’s post. While I was searching for some barn door inspiration, I found myself obsessing once again. Surely I am not the only fool out there that loves wood. I thought I would share with you. These are my barn wood inspirations. Enjoy!

The perfect minimalist barn wood paneled wall. Yes, please!

A contemporary spin on a classic barn door. Love.

Oh, the food I would make to put on this glorious reclaimed wood counter.

Out with the wainscoting, in with the barn wood!

I die over this. The exposed brick, the beams, the floor, that tub! Yes, please.

I would rip out my snoozefest, I mean staircase and replace the steps with this shit today.

There is no way one couldn’t find this space relaxing. It’s all the wood. LOL!

Again, a minimalist space with the wood wall accent. Gimme gimme gimme!

A mix of old and new makes my heart skip a beat.

Lovely, soft, clean.